Author(s): Joe Joseph and TI Manoj

Abstract:
The study examines the dietary practices on vegetables and fruits among undergraduate students in Kerala and is intended to provide reliable data describing the characteristics of undergraduate college students of 18 to 23 years of both sexes. The sample represent proportionately the various districts of Kerala state with 1153 male (Mean Age = 19.44 years) and 1794 female (Mean Age = 19.35 years). Among the respondents 26.6% male and 30.3% female from 1st year, 30% male and 32.7% females from 2nd year, 41.5% males and 34.6% females from 3rs year and 1.9% male and 2.4% female from 4th year of study at their respective colleges.Statewide 24.56% girls and 27.25% boys have eaten vegetables 3 times per week during the 7 days before the survey. The prevalence of having not eaten vegetables during the 7 days before the survey was higher among male (8.76%) than female (5.74%) students. It also found that, there is significant difference between male and female in eating vegetables during the last 7 days. Statewide 47.06% students have not drunk 100% fruit juice during the past 7 days before the survey. The prevalence of having not drunk 100% fruit juice during the past 7 days before the survey was higher among female 50.72% than male 41.37% students. Statewide 19.65% students have not eaten fruit during the past 7 days before the survey. The prevalence of having not taken fruits during the past 7 days before the survey was higher among male 20.20% than female 19.28% students. But 48.6% male and 46.87% female consumed fruits 1 to 3 times during past 7 days before the survey.

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